“Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord . For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord , “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:5-9, 11 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/jer.29.5-11.NIV
These people weren't just having trouble paying bills or dealing with an illness. They had been captured by another country and taken to a foreign land. And God told them to LIVE. He said they were to seek peace and prosperity for the captive city. Not just try, but to proactively work and pray for it. They were to make a life, continue the growth of His people until He came for them. Sound familiar?
No comments:
Post a Comment